Fluid pressure operated blower for



May 28, 193.5; MOSES 2,002,788

4 Sheets-Shet 1 R. I. 'FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BLOWER FOR CL ING THE TUBES 0F STEAM GENERATORS AND THE KE Filed Mar o C cu Jmmum RICHARD "(0R M0555,

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R. I. MOSES May 28, 1935.

2,002,788 FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BLOWER FOR CLEANING THE TUBES OF STEAM GENERATORS AND THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1933 ufll/Il Illlllilnl. 5,951

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"May 28, 1935.

FLUID PRESSURE OPERA TUBES OF S OSES TED BLOWER FOR CLEANING THE TEAM GENERATORS AND THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 RICHARD wo M0555,

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BLOWER FOR CLEANING THE May 28, 1935. l R MOSES 2,002,788

TUBES 0F STEAM GENERATORS AND THE LIKE Filed March 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jmmvwv RICHARD :vo MOSES,

Patented May 28, 1935 FL UID PRESSURE OPERATED BLOWER FOR CLEANING THE TUBES OF STEAM GEN- ERATORS AND THE LIKE v Richard Ivor Moses, Langley, England, assignor to Ivor Power Specialty Company, Limited, London, England, a company of Great Britain Application March 28, 1933, Serial No. 663,196 In Great Britain April 6, 1932 4 Claims. (01.122-391) This invention relates to fluid pressure operated blowers for cleaning the tubes of steam generators and the like, and of the kind comprising a conduit for the passage of steam or other cleaning medium to one or more nozzle outlets provided in a blower tube, the said blower tube surrounding the supply conduit and being adapted for longitudinal and/or rotary movement thereon. r V

In apparatus of this kind, and more particularly where the cross sectional-area of the nozzle outlet or outlets is smaller than the cross sectional area of the supply conduit, the blower tube is forced outward on the admission of the pressure medium and back pressure normally occurs in the supply conduit and blower tube.

On the other hand, where relative cross sectional areas of the nozzle outlet and of the supply conduit are such as to avoid backpressure and permit a free passage of the pressure medium through the blower tube, the tendency of the blowertube to move outward over the supply conduit remains, due to the friction of the steam or other pressure medium upon the internal surface of the blower tube. V i s The principal object of the present invention is to utilize this outward movement of the blower tube over the fluid pressure conduit to. maintain the parts in a fluid pressure tight condition.

30 The present invention accordingly consistsjin a fluid pressure operated blower for cleaning the tubes of steam generators and the like, comprising a cleaning fluid supply conduit, a blower tube surrounding the conduit and capable of longitudinal and rotary movement thereon, and

a sealing device adaptedto maintain a fluid tight condition between the said supply conduit and blower tube, said sealing device comprising annular members mounted on the said supply con- 40 duit and blower tube respectively and which are adapted to be first brought into abutting relationship by manually controlled means and subsequently maintained in such relationship by reason of thenormaloperation of the blower.

The invention accordingly consists in" a fluid pressure operated blower for cleaning the tubes of steam generators and like arrangements of the type above referred to, characterized bythe provision of a sealing device comprising annular s 50 members mounted on the said supply conduit and blower tube and which are adapted to bebrought into abutting relationship by manually controlled means, and maintained-in such relationship by reason of, the operation of the blower, positioned between the conduit and the blower tube.

' by means of grub screws 8.

In the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, the application of the invention to several forms of blowers:

Fig. l is an end elevation of one form of apparatus; V

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation on the line II-II of Fig. 1; m

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a further form of blower in its operative position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the blower shown in Fig. 3, when in its inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of a still further form of blower; Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI of Fig. 5;

- Fig.7 shows a sectional side elevation of a still further form of blower.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. '7 and,

. Fig. 9 isa part plan of the arrangement shown in Fi '7. I r V Fig- 10 is a view partly sectional and on an enlarged scale of the sealing device shown in Figs. 7-9. p

In all the .figures the parts comprising the automatically operating sealing device are indicated by'similar reference numerals.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 the apparatus comprises a fixed central conduit l, preferably in the form of a weldless steel tube, for the passage of steam or other pressure fluid, and an external blower tube 2 capable of longitudinal and rotary movement thereon. The conduit l is fitted at its outer end with a valve 3 for controlling the passage of steamer other pressure fluid to a nozzle 4 mounted on the inner'end of the blower tube 2. The outer end portion of the blower tube 2 is screw threaded externally at 6 to take a correspondingly screw threaded sleeve 1, the blower tube 2 and the sleeve 1 being secured 4O A hand wheel 9 is formed on the outerend of the sleeve 1 for the purpose of operating the blower. r 7

One annular member ll of the sealing device is secured near the inner end of the screw threaded sleeve l and is adapted to bear on a coned facing formed in the said sleeve. The collar I3 is bored and screw threaded internally for a portion of its length to engage a corresponding screw thread on the inner end of the central conduit I. The outer annular'end of the collar I3 is formed with a feather edge [2 adapted to be brought into abutting relationship against the annular member I l by manual means. The abutting surfaces of the seatin jll and the PATENT OFFICE i sleeve I may be coned or curved to give a degree of self alignment between the two parts. The inner end of the bore of the valve member l3 diverges outwards. The outer cylindrical surface of the member 53 forms a guide or bearing for the blower tube 2.

A packing i4 is positioned in a stufiing box l5, fitted with a gland i6 and gland washer ll, the parts being disposed between the sleeve 1 and the fixed conduit l, the gland is being screw threaded within the sleeve 2 and secured thereto by a grub screw 18. While this packing assists to some extent in keeping the parts pressure fluid tight, its primary object is to act as a wiper for the central conduit I.

The nozzle 4 which can be made of mild steel,

cast iron, or nickel-chrome steel or other refrac-I tory metal, is secured to the blower tube by screw threading assisted by grub screws E9. The nozzle is provided with two divergent apertures 29 having their centre lines at an angle to the axis of the tube. These apertures may be convergent if desired.

The screw threaded sleeve 'l'is slotted at 2! and the rim of the hand wheel 9 is interrupted at 22 as shown in Fig. 2 to permit the parts being Withdrawn outward to clear the upper bent portion of the valve 3, the latter being fixed to the bracket 23 provided on the outer plate 24. In operation steam or other pressure cleaning fluid is admitted to the central tube'l by way of the valve 3 and passes to the blower tube 2 and from thence to the outlets 20 of the nozzle 4. On the admission of the pressure cleaning fluid to the blower tube the annular member ll of the sealing device is thereupon maintained on its seating l2, thus providing a fluid pressure tight joint between the central tube i and the blower tube 2. The longitudinal and rotary movement of the nozzles 4 and blower tube 2 and sleeve 1 is effected by the operation of the hand wheel 9, the parts being capable of withdrawal outwards beyond the valve 3v by reason of the interruption in the periphery of the wheel.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the blower is adapted to be operated from the front of a boiler of the marine type and to be inserted through one of a bank of tubes, whereby the nozzle is adapted to be projected from the tube during the operation of the blower and to be withdrawn into the tube to form a closure to the said tube when the blower is inoperative.

The bank of fire tubes 26 is located between the boiler front tube plate 2'1 and the rear tube plate 28 in the usual manner.

Thefixedcentral conduit l is rigidly secured to an elbow 3% which is adapted to admit steam or other pressure cleaning fluid to the central, conduit. The elbow is formed of abracket 29 mounted on the boiler front tube plate.

The blower tube 2 is made in two parts held together by a coupling sleeve 3 i The inner end of the blower tube 2, which when in its operative position extends beyond the fire tubes, is reduced in diameter and is provided with a nozzle 32 screw threaded thereto. The nozzle is provided with two divergent apertures 33 adapted to project the steam into the ends of the bank of fire tubes 26. Any number of apertures may be provided. Rings 34 are provided at the outer surface of the blower tube to act as scrapers and bearings for the tube 2.

One annular member I! of the sealing device is positioned in the coned bore of the hollow coupling sleeve 3!, the other element of the sealing device being constituted by the feather edge I?! of the bored collar E3 in screw threaded engagement with one extremity of the fixed central conduit 1. The collar 53 is formed with a divergent bore as shown.

The outer end of the blower tube 2 is slotted at 35 as shown for a portion of its length to permit the tube to clear the bracket 29 and elbow 30 during the movement of the blower tube from its operative to its inoperative position or vice versa.

A cranked member 31 is secured to the outer end of the blower tube 2, having its outer end formed with a hollow axial extension 39, adapted to act as a journal within the flanged bearing bracket 40 secured to the front plate 4! The rotation of the crank in its inoperative position is prevented by means of a transverse pin 44. The outer end of the journal Zi is reduced in diameter and screwed to take a cap nut 33 provided with a locking pin 55. Airspace plates 46 are positioned on each side of the plate ii. A spindle (see Figure 3) fitted with a handle 5! is used to project the blower tube into its operative, or it will draw the blower into its inoperative position. One end of the spindle is of square section 52, and formed with a collar 53 whereby it may be. firmly secured in screw threaded engagement with end of the hollow journal 39, the coupling as being provided for this purpose with an internally screw threaded portion 55. The bearing ii! is adapted to receive a collar or plug 56 which is attached to the spindle 53 and which forms a closure to the furnace gases when the blower is in its operative position. 7

The journal 37* and the cap nut 43 form the closure when the blower is in its inoperative position.

Elbow 3t and steam pipe 63 serve to admit the pressure cleaning fluid to the central conduit l. The upper and lower end of the pipe 68 is provided with fianges 5i and 62 whereby it may be secured by bolting or otherwise to the flanges 63 of the elbow 3i) and flange 54 of the valve 65 controlling the admission of steam or pressure fluid tothe apparatus. The lower plate of the smoke box is apertured at 66 to permit the pipe 60 being inserted from beneaththe plate, the parts being retained in position and the emission of hot gases prevented by the provision of a split joint ring 61.

In operation, and assuming that'the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 4the cap nut 43 is first removed, after which the operating handle 5| is secured to the screwed end 39 by means of the coupling 54 and the plug 58 is fitted into the bore of the bracket 26, see Fig. 3. The locking pin 44 is then removed and the crank mem her 3'! and the blower tube 2 are adapted to be projected forward whereby the nozzle 32 extends into the combustion'chamber, and the annular member i of the sealing device brought into abutting relationship with the feather edge E2. The controlling valve is then opened whereby steam or other cleansing medium is ejected from the nozzle. The handle can then be partially rotated three or four times in either direction to sweep the whole bank of tubes, the cleansing medium, during its passage through the boiler, following the direction of the products of combustion. After the blowing operation the control valvefiE is closed, the nozzle withdrawn into the tube 26, thereby closing the end of the tube 26.

'The pin ie is then fittedinto the bearing to and the screw threaded end of the .jourrial'a3'I and secured in position by means of the pin 45.

On the admission of pressure cleansing fluid to the blower tubeZ, the annular member II of the sealing device is..maintained on its seating I2, thus providing av fluid pressure tight joint between the central tube I and the blower tube 2.

The two further examples willnow be described showing the invention as applied to the tubular system of avboiler of the. land or stationary type.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the apparatus shown comprises a fixed central conduit I for the passage of steam or other pressure fluid and a blower tube 2 adapted for longitudinal and .rotary movement thereon. Steam or other cleaning fluid is admitted to the conduit I through a controlling valve 3. A nozzle lis secured by screw threads or otherwise to one end of the blower tube 2. A hand operated wheel 9 is secured to the opposite end of the blower tube 2 by means of threaded sleeve Ill is formed with a hexagon whereby the sleeve may be conveniently rotated in either direction as the case may be when found necessary to adjust the position of the nozzle 4 relative to the'wall box I5. This hexagon head is formed with a stuffing box II for the central conduit I, the stufling box being provided with a gland nut I2. This gland and packing position between the conduit I and the blower tube 2 assists the sealing device in maintaining the parts in a pressure fluid tight state. A looking nut I3 is also provided in association with the adjusting sleeve Ill. The blower tube is adapted to be projected through a wall box I5 formed with a flange l6 and adapted to be secured to the plate II of the boiler setting by studs (see Fig. 6). The wall box I5 also serves to support the frame casting 80 within the hollow tubular portion 8| of which the blower tube 2 is adapted to move. This frame casting is formed with a flange 82, and extended to form a further flange at 83, which flange is bored to receive pillar studs 85, the opposite end of each of which is positioned in a corresponding bore of the cross-piece 85. This latter member also serves to support the outer screw threaded end of the central conduit I and the valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to the nozzle.

The boss 86 of the cross-piece 85 is bored at 87 to take a connection for admitting the steam or other cooling fluid to the central conduit I when the controlling valve is closed and the nozzle withdrawn into its inoperative position. The bore 81 can be plugged when not in use.

The frame casting 80 is provided with a boss e8 adapted to be bored and tapped whereby air or other cooling medium may be admitted to its interior to cool the blower tube, wall box, and the nozzle, when necessary. This bore can also be fitted with a plug when not in use.

In the particular construction shown the hand wheel is provided with a stop 92 adapted to abut against either of the pillar studs 84 and thereby limit the rotary movement of the blower tube. By providing two such stops the angular movement of the blower tube can be limited to any desired extent, or if necessary the stop can be dispensed with and the blower tube rotated through an angle of 360.

In operation the two annular sealing members II and I2 are first caused to abut by the manual operation of the handwheel 9, after which steam or other pressure cleaning fluid is admitted to .the conduit I and passing through thebearing collar I3 leaves the blower by way of the nozzle 3, the sealing member I'. being thus maintained on its seating I2, thus providing a fluid tight joint between the central tube I and the blower tube 2. The Venturi opening in the collar I3 allows the pressure fluid to expand in the blower tube 2.

Figs. 7 to 10 show an arrangement which is broadly similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

having means whereby the movement of the blower tube can be controlled from a distance.

The apparatus comprises the central conduit I', blower tube 2, and the two annular members of the sealingdevice, the member numbered II being secured to the adjusting sleeve 1i! and that numbered I2 being secured to theoentral conduit I in the manner previously described.

In this further modification however the blower tube 2 is provided with an extension 2a constituting a multi nozzle element, being provided throughout its length with a pluralityfof nozzle outlets in the known manner. The outer end of the extension 2a mayor may not be supported in a suitable bearing as may be necessary.

The apparatus also comprises a bracket frame 95, the outer end of which is flanged at 96 whereby the frame may be secured by studs 91 to the flange 98 of the wall box I5. This flange 96 is also extended and bored to receive the inner end of pillar studs 95a, and 951) the opposite ends of which carry the cross piece 85, the central boss of which is in screw threaded engagement with the outer end of the central conduit; This boss is also providedwith a screw threaded bore 8'! serving as. a means to introduce steam or other cooling medium to the multi-nozzle element when the controlling valve is closed and the apparatus inoperative. The rotary movement of the blower tube 2, 2a is effected by means of a chain wheel III!) freely rotating on the pillar stud 95", the boss of the chain wheel being extended to form a pinion I III adapted to mesh with a gear wheel I02 keyed at I04 on the reduced end I03 of the blower tube 2.

The position of the chain wheel I00 and pinion IOI on the pillar stud 95 maybe adjusted by varying the position of the collars IilI slidable on the pillar stud 95 on which they are adapted to be secured by set screws Ill! respectively.

The rotary movement of the multi-nozzle element 2, 2a is effected by the manual or other rotation of the chain wheel through pinion MI and gear wheel I02 fixedly secured to the tube 2.

The longitudinal movement of the multi-nozzle element 2, 2a is one of adjustment only relative to the wall box I5, this adjustment being effected in the manner previously described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. I

When however the wheel I92 is moved either to the right or leftof its normal position, the pinion IIII is correspondingly altered by suitable adjustment of the collars IBI The two members forming the sealing device are initially brought into abutting relationship by an adjustment of the screw threaded sleeve ll! when the blower is installed, and are further pressedtogether and maintained in a pressuretight condition by the operation of the blower.

In all forms of apparatus the hand wheel may be replaced by a chain and sprocket arrangement, or suitable gearing may be employed to operate the blower tube from a point adjacent to, or remote from the wall box. 1

By constructing my improved blower in this way, I provide an improved'arrangement which can, inter alia, be maintained in a fluid tight condition irrespective of the size of the nozzle outlet or outlets. Further the pressure in the blower can be regulated by varying the size of the outlet of the member 53 fitted to the steam conduit. The bore of the member it may be coned or constricted towards its outlet to act as a pressure reducing orifice or maybe or" Venturi or other form.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the precise arrangement of parts hereinbefore described, as various modifica- Patent is:-

l. A fluid. pressure operated blower for cleaning the tubes of steam generators and the like, comprising a cleaning fluid supply conduit, a blower tube surrounding the conduit and capable oflongitudinal and rotary movement thereon, and a sealing deviceadapted to maintain a pressure fluid tight condition between the said supply conduit and blower tube, said sealing device coinprising an annular member mounted on the said supply conduit and a head mounted on said blower tube and having an annular member cooperating with the first named annular member to form said sealing device when the annular members are brought into abutting relationship by manually controlled means and subsequently maintained in such relationship by reason of the normal operation of the blower.

. .2. A fluid pressure operated blower for cleaning. the tubes of steam generators and the like, comprising a cleaning fluid supply conduit, a blower tube surrounding the conduit and capable of longitudinal and rotary movement thereon, and a sealing device adapted to maintain a pressure fluid tight condition between the said supply, conduit and blower tube, said sealing device comprising annular members mounted on the supply conduit and blower tube respectively, one of said members being adjustable relative to its mounting, and which are adapted to be first brought. into abutting relationship by manually controlled means and subsequently maintained in such relationship by reason of the normal opv eration of the blower.

3. A fluid pressure operated blower for cleaning the tubes of steam generators and the like, comprising a cleaning fluid supply conduit, a blower tube surrounding the conduit and capable of longitudinal and rotary movement thereon, and a sealing device adapted to maintain a pressure fluid tight condition between the said supply conduit and blower tube, said sealing device comprising annular members mounted on the said supply conduit and blower tube respectively, one of the annular members of the sealing device being provided with a V edge adapted to seat itself on the other annular member, the angitudinal and rotary movement thereon, and a sealing device adapted to maintain a pressure fluid tight condition between the said supply conduit and blower tube, said sealing device comprising annular members mounted on said supply conduit and blower tube respectively, the said annular members having their faces coned and adapted to be first brought into abutting relationship by manually controlled means and subsequently maintained in such relationship by reason of the normal operation of the blower.

RICHARD IVOR 'MOSES. 

